Coin detecting and indicating apparatus



Jan. 30, 1951 J. A. VICTOREEN COIN DETECTING AND INDICATING APPARATUS 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed D60- 12, 1945 Fig.2

INVENTOR. JOHNAJ/ICTOQEEN BY m5 ,4 vole/v5 Y Jan. 30, 1951 J. A.VICTOREEN 2,540,063

COIN DETECTING AND INDICATING APPARATUS Filed Dec. 12, 1945 2Sheets-Sheet 2 I N VEN TOR. Jafi/v A. VICTOREEN HIS ATTORNEY PatentedJan. 30, 1951 w en COIN DETECTING AND INDICATING APPARATUS John A.Victoreen, Cleveland, Ohio, assignor to The Victoreen InstrumentCompany, Cleveland,

Ohio

Application December 12, 1945, Serial No. 634,569

7 Claims. 1

This invention relates to indicating methods and circuits therefor and,more particularly, to an apparatus for detecting or counting articles,such as coins.

In this specification, the invention will be described particularly inconnection with its use for indicating the value of coins which are usedto control the action of a vending machine or coin controlledphonograph. It will be appreciated, however, that it is capable of avariety of uses other than that of indicating the value of coins, andthat the description in connection therewith is merely exemplary of onemanner of its employment and is not intended as a limitation thereof.

As is well known to those versed in the art, it is common to control avending machine by inserting coins into slots provided therefor. Amongthe most common forms of coin control are those used to controlautomatic phonographs. Provision is ordinarly made whereb the number ofrecords played is determined by the number and/or value of the coinsused. Most commonly, the machines are constructed to take 5, 10 or 25cent pieces which provide the vendee with one, two or five playsrespectively.

The apparatus for the coin control usually includes a coin ejector whichejects spurious coins or slugs, and a counting mechanism which affordsthe vendee the proper number of plays for the coins selected. It is inconnection with the last mentioned apparatus that the invention isparticularly useful.

Heretoiore, the coins have been eiiective mainly by their weight or sizeto provide the desired operation. This entailed the use of somewhatcomplicated, expensive and delicate equipment which was subject tofrequent adjustment in order to maintain proper operation. Improperoperation either resulted in a loss of revenue when more plays wereafforded than were called for, or caused the dissatisfaction of thecustomer when he did not receive the requisite number. The coins alsohad to be clean to operate the mechanism properly.

By my present invention, I am able to provide an apparatus wherein themere passage of the coin in proximit thereto records the desired numberof plays or the value of the coin. With the device of my invention, allmoving parts other than the coin have been eliminated, thus simplifyingthe service problem as well as afiording a more accurate and longeroperation thereof.

Briefly, my invention includes generating or providing a plurality ofdiscrete potentials which are arranged to cooperate with each other toprovide a total potential of zero. The coin or article to be counted isused to change at least one of the discrete potentials to provide anoverall potential and when this condition arises, an indicator isprovided to indicate it.

For a more complete understanding of my invention, reference is had tothe following description which is illustrated by the accompanyingdrawings and forms a part of this specification.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a circuit diagram of an electronic circuit useful in carryingout my invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the placement of the detectorcoils and the path of the coin in relation thereto.

Fig. 3 is an exploded view of one specific form of a coin chute usefulin conjunction with my invention.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the coin chute assembly.

Referring now to the drawings, throughout which like parts have beendesignated by like reference characters, and more particularly to Fig.1, which is a circuit diagram, illustrating a circuit embodying myinvention. There is provided an oscillatory circuit which includes thevacuum tube V1, the anode circuit of which is supplied with a pluralityof serially connected inductances iii, Ii, I2 and it. A capacitance i5tunes the inductances to a predetermined resonance. An inductance 9 isprovided in the grid circuit and is inductively coupled to one of thecoils, such as it to provide an oscillatory circuit.

The inductance coils if to i3 inclusive constitute the primary of aplurality of transformers, the respective secondaries i8, i9, 23 and 2|of which are inductively coupled to the primaries. These secondaries areconnected in series opposing relation to each other so that the energypicked up from the primaries is of opposite polarity, as indicated.Preferably, the coils are so matched and arranged in conjunction withthe primaries that the signal pickup in each secondary is of the samevalue; then, since they are connected in opposing relation, the overallpickup or voltage developed across the entire series string ofsecondaries is zero. I have found in practice, however, that thisbalance is not very critical, and that some degree of unbalance whichresults in the showing of a potential across the string may be toleratedwithout undesirable effects.

The output from the inductors 58 to 2| inclusive is connected to he gridand cathode of the vacuum tube amplifier V2 which is resistance coupledto a third tube V3. The tube V3 is biased to cut off and, therefore,only draws current upon a signal of a predetermined value being appliedthereto. One method of providing the bias for this tube is by connectinginto the tank circuit (coils it to it and the condenser iii) of theoscillator. This coupling may be effected as shown by the lead 23 whichconnects into the plate circuit between the coils is and ii, and whichconnects to the anode of a diode tube Vi through a resistor R2, thecathode of that tube being connected to the cathode of the tube V3, aresistor R, and condenser C, are provided across the elements of thetube V4, the resistance being of suflicient value to provide the desiredbias on the grid of the tube V3 which may be of the order of 20 volts.

A relay 25 is provided in the output circuit of the tube V3 adapted uponthe passage of a predetermin d value of current therethrough to closethe contacts 26.

As previously stated, the circuit including the tube V1 is anoscillatory circuit. The pickup coils I8 to 2!, therefore, have inducedtherein voltages due to their inductive coupling with the primaries.However, since their coils are so arranged that the voltages inducedtherein are of opposite polarity to each other and are of equal value,the voltage difference between the ends of the string which is ap liedto the grid and cathode of the tube V2 is either zero or of a very lowvalue. In other words, the signals normally present in the coils balanceout so that no signal is applied to the tube V2. If, however, anythingis done to change the degree of coupling between any one of theprimaries and secondaries, this change in coupling will result in eitheran increase or decrease in the pickup of that particular secondaryincreasing or decreasing the voltage developed therein. Then, providingno change has occurred in the other coils, this will change the balancefrom zero to some potential above zero resulting in a signal beingapplied to the tube V2 and amplified thereby. This causes the tube Vetodraw current which operates the relay 25 closing the contacts 26.

The transfer of energy from the primaries to the secondaries may beaffected in many ways. The coupling itself may be increased ordecreased; this can be effected by passing of a metallic element near orbetween the coils. It could also be affected by changing thepermeability, in which instance it could be effected by i passing ametallic element through any one of the primary or secondary coils. Iprefer to affect the coupling by passing a metallic elem nt such as thecoin between the coils, which provides a shielding effect between thecoils and thus-a decrease in pickup voltage in that particular coil;this in turn causes an increase in voltage in the secondary stringcircuit. The bias afforded by the tube V4 is adjusted by selecting aproper resistance value of B so that a minimum of change in the outputis required to permit operation of the relay 25. If desired, the relay25 may also be adjustable so that it will operate only upon apredetermined value of current therethrough.

It will be seen that the operation of the apparatus is substantiallyindependent of frequency, and that, therefore, any frequency for theoscillator may be selected as desired. Furthermore,

a change in frequency within rather wide limits g 4 may be toleratedwithout affecting its action. This permits the use of an economicalcircuit which need not be stabilized.

It will be apparent that the circuit can be made to function with onlytwo sets of coils and that the number can be increased indefinitely solong as an equal number of balancing elements are added withoutaffecting the operation.

The device is, therefore, adaptable to uses such as simple counting ofarticles or, as will hereinafter appear, for affording a multiple countfrom a single article.

Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate how my invention may be used in connection witha device such as a record player to provide a number of plays dependingupon the value of the coin.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view showing the disposition of the coils inthe oscillator and pickup circuit, and the path of travel of the coinstherethrough, to provide the desired operation.

Briefly, there are shown eight pickup coils which are the secondarycoils and five tank coils which are the primary coils. A five cent pieceis adapted to pass between one set of coils, thus upsetting the balanceof the circuit only once during its passage. A ten cent piece will passbetween two sets of coils thus upsetting the balance of the circuittwice during its passage. A twenty-five cent piece will pass betweenfive sets of coils, thus upsetting the balance of the circuit five timesduring its passage.

In this Fig. 2 I have shown the disposition of the coils in the tank,pickup and grid circuit. The tank circuit coils, indicated at it, H, I2, l3 and M, are disposed in series with each other. The pickup coilsindicated at it to 22 inclusive are disposed in aligned and inductivelycoupled relation to the tank coils. The path of travel of the coins isindicated by the dot dash lines; A being the travel of a five centpiece, B the travel of a ten cent piece, and C the travel of atwentyfive cent piece. It will be noted that the pickup coils l6 and itare associated with tank coil ill and coils H and it with coil ll. Thisis merely a matter of convenience and is adapted only for a certainspecific application. The coil 22' is added in the pickup circuit toprovide an even number of pickup coils and thus effect the balancingpreviously described. The articles being counted do not pass between itand the tank coil. The oscillator grid coil 9 is shown coupled to thecoil lit to provide the desired feed back.

If a five cent piece is passed between the coils H and Il as indicated,by the line A, the circuit will be unbalanced once to cause the relay 25to close once. The relay contacts 25, of course, would control theaction of some kind of an accumulator for the counts such as a steppingrelay not shown.

The passage of a ten cent piece would be along the line B and wouldaffect momentarily and consecutively the coupling between first thecoils is and it, and second, the coils ii and H to cause two operationsof the relay 25. The passage of twenty-five cents would be along theline C and momentarily and consecutively affect the coupling between.the coils lill8, ill9, iii-2E3, l32l and M-22 to cause the relay 25 tooperate five times.

One manner of supporting the inductances, so that the operationsdescribed in connection with the diagram of 2 may be perform d, isillustrated in Fig. 3. This figure is a vi w showing a coin chute whichmay be fabricated in three parts. The center portion ib is shown in edgeelevation and is flanked by the parts 4| and 42 which contain the coinpassages and which are shown rotated 90 degrees in opposite directionsfrom the center part. Fig. 4 shows a top plan view of the three partsassembled. The center portion houses the oscillator tank coils It to itinclusive. Generally, it comprises a flat rectangular slab of insulatingmaterial which is provided with the transverse apertures into which thecoils are inserted. The holes containing the coils can be plugged ifdesired; preferably in practice I have found it desirable to provide athin sheet of insulating material on either side which serves as aprotector. The leads from the coils may be brought out in any convenientmanner.

The part 42 is provided with a groove which, when the part is juxtaposedto the center part 49, provides a channel 44 of the proper width toreceive a five cent piece. Adjacent the channel 44 is another channeldesigned to receive a ten cent piece. At the bottom of the channel 45there is provided an opening in which the coil I6 is disposed, this coilbeing sunk in the wall. Below the channel is a laterally extendingpartition 46, the upper surface of which is slanting. The channels 44and 45 then merge into a channel 41 at the bottom of which is anotheropening in which the coil ll is housed. Below the coil the channelextends to the left to provide a slanting wall 43 and then extendsstraight down and out the bottom.

If a five cent piece is dropped in the five cent channel 14, it dropsdown into the channel 47, hits the wall 48, pauses for a moment in frontof the coil 5? and then rolls off and down out the bottom. The coil ll,as previously stated, is a pickup coil and is disposed opposite to andin inductive relation to the oscillator coil ii in the center section40. Therefore, the coin pauses for a moment between these two coilsproviding a shielding effect which operates the relay as beforedescribed.

If a ten cent piece is inserted in the channel 45, it is stopped by thepartition 45 between the coils i5 and 59, then rolls over and drops tothe wall s8 where it again pauses before dropping into the straightchannel. It thus momentarily shields first the coils liil0 and thenl'lll, pausing a short time between each set of coils and thus causingthe relay to operate twice.

The part 41 is designed to accept the 25 cent piece. In this instance,it enters the channel 50, is deflected by the partition 5!, rolls off itand drops between the coils |!3l8 being stopped by the partition 52where it hesitates and then drops in a like manner between the coils lll 9, l2-20, l3-2l and finally i4-22 after which it passes out thebottom.

It will be noted that the coin always pauses momentarily between thecoils, the time of this pause can be predetermined by the slant given tothe partition or walls against which the coin strikes.

It will, therefore, be seen that l, 2 or 5 counts can be had dependingon the value of coin passing through the device, and that the counts areeifected without the utilization of any mechanical moving parts. It willbe appreciated that there is nothing to wear out, and that, therefore,the device is capable of long life and accurate recording without theusual necessity for servicing required by other devices.

It will also be apparent that the same circuit may be used in a simplerform if desired for counting of simple metal objects by merely havingthese objects change the coupling between the coils.

It is also possible that the oscillator, which may be considered as agenerator of alternating current, can be replaced by some other sourceof alternating current; for instance, it could be an oscillator used inconjunction with the record player its-lf. It should also be noted thatthe secondary or pickup circuit is untuned. This circuit could be tunedif desired, providing a higher differentiation of signals. I have found,however, that this circuit is amply effective for its purpose. The timeof interruption of travel of the coin opposite to the coils, aspreviously stated, can be varied by changing the slantof the walls orabutments against which the coin strikes. The device is, however, tofurnish the pulses by the coins without any interruption of the coin inits travel. In this case, the coin could drop straight down a straightchute. I also contemplate a serpentine chute which slows down thepassage of the coin but does not interrupt its passage.

Having thus described my invention, I am aware that numerous andextensive departures may be made therefrom without departing from thespirit or scope of my invention.

1 claim:

'1. An apparatus of the class described, the combination of anoscillator having a plurality of inductances therein, a pickup circuithaving .a plurality of inductances inductively coupled to saidoscillator inductances, and means operated by the pickup of energy insaid pickup circuit to indicate, a housing for housing said oscillatorand pickup inductances and formed with channels extending between saidinductances, said channels adapted to guide a metallic article betweensaid oscillator and pickup inductances in shielding relation thereto andsaid indicator means being operated upon the passage of said articlebetween the inductances.

2. An apparatus of the class described including a housing, a pluralityof channels formed in said housing, pairs of inductances supported bythe walls of said housing opposite to said channels, some of saidinductances having an oscillatory signal generated therein and theothers of-said inductances on opposite sides of said channels adapted topick up said signals, said channels arranged to have a metallic articlepass therethrough, which article during its passage shields some of saidinductances from the others.

3. An apparatus of the class described including a housing, a pluralityof channels formed in said housing, pairs of inductances supported bythe walls of said housing opposite to said channels, some of saidinductances having anoscillatory signal generated therein and the othersof said inductances on opposite sides of said channels adapted to pickup said signals, said channels adapted to have a metallic article passtherethrough, which article during its passage shields some of saidinductances from the others and means connected to said pickupinductances to indicate the passage of an article.

4. An apparatus of the class described including a housing, a pluralityof channels formed in said housing, pairs of inductances supported bythe walls of said housing opposite to said channels, some of saidinductances having an oscillatory current passing therethrough and theothers of said inductances on opposite side of said channels adapted topick up said signals, said channels adapted to have a metallic article 7pass therethrough which article during its passage partly shields someof said inductances from the others, and means to restrain the passageof said articles when the article passes between said inductances.

5. A coin operated apparatus including an oscillatory circuit, aplurality of pickup inductances inductively coupled to said circuit topickup oscillatory energy therefrom, a coin chute including a passagewayfor the passage of a coin, means in said passageway to momentarilyinterrupt the passage of a coin therethrough, said pickup inductancesbeing disposed adjacent said passageway at the point where the passageof the coin is interrupted said coin adapted to at least partiallyinductively shield said pickup inductances and change the degree ofenergy picked up thereby.

6. A coin operated apparatus including an oscillatory circuit, aplurality of pickup inductances inductively coupled to said circuit topickup oscillatory energy therefrom, a coin chute including a passagewayfor the passage of a coin, means in said passageway to momentarilyinterrupt the passage of a coin therethrough, said pickup inductancesbeing disposed adjacent said passageway at the point where the passageof the coin is interrupted, said coin adapted to inductively shield-saidpickup inductances and change the degree of energy picked up thereby,said interrupting means for said coin including an inclined abutment,the angle of inclination of which determines the time of interruption ofthe passage of said coin.

7. A circuit of the class described comprising 58 an oscillator circuitincluding a vacuum tube and a tank circuit in the output thereof, saidtank circuit including a plurality of inductance elements and a parallelcapacitance, a pickup circuit comprising a plurality of inductanceelements inductively coupled to said inductances in the tank circuit anddisposed in the input circuit of, a vacuum tube amplifier, saidinductance ole-3 ments being connected in series opposing relation. toprovide substantially zero pickup and adapted REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the file of this pal ent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,944,988 Lum Jan. 30, 19342,237,132 Christensen Apr. 1, 1941 2,265,124 Andres Dec. 9, 19412,337,132 Shaw Dec. 21, 1943 2,459,210 Ashcraft Jan. 18, 1949.

